Bates headlines Round 1 squad

---

New Zealand international Suzie Bates has been included in the 13-player Statewide Super SA Scorpions squad for Round 1 of the Women’s National Cricket League.

Set to make her South Australian debut after playing 11 games with WA between 2012 and 2015, Bates comes into the squad fresh from a Kia Super League finals berth with the Southern Vipers in the UK.

The Adelaide Strikers captain will bring international leadership and experience of the highest calibre to the young South Australian side.

Captain Megan Schutt is unavailable for selection following a successful Australian tour of the West Indies, with 23-year-old Tahlia McGrath to take the reins for the first two games.

Andrea McCauley Medal winner McGrath has returned to Australia match-fit after her inaugural Super League campaign with the Lancashire Thunder, where she amassed 219 runs with a strike-rate of 105.28.

The allrounder has assumed captaincy duties for the National Performance Squad and Australia A in the past, with this opportunity adding another feather to her cap.

“I am absolutely thrilled for the chance to be able to captain the Scorpions,” said McGrath, who compiled her maiden WNCL century last summer.

“I’ve had a little bit of a chance in the past with Scorps City, some NPS, some Australia A stuff but the opportunity to captain the Scorps who are just like a second family to me, I’m super excited.”

New recruits Emma de Broughe, Stacey Oates and Darcie Brown have all been selected in the squad, with at least one player set to make her debut.

“They’ve all had a really good pre-season and it’s just really nice to have fresh energy and fresh faces around the group,” McGrath said.

“Stacey Oates has really impressed me. With the new ball (she) is really dangerous and she’s just someone that keeps improving year after year so I’d really love to see her get an opportunity up front with the new ball and show what she’s capable of.”

For Head Coach Luke Williams and Assistant Coach Jude Coleman, this weekend will mark the pair’s first official match as a coaching team.

“Luke and Jude have been excellent,” McGrath said.

“I feel as though the group’s in a really good space at the moment, (Luke and Jude) have created a really good training environment. Everyone’s just relaxed and enjoying their cricket and excited to get under way with Round 1.”

The Scorpions will take on New South Wales on Sunday 22 September and ACT on Tuesday 24 September from 10am both days at Karen Rolton Oval.

Entry is free and live updates can be found on the CA Live app and via Twitter @ScorpionsSA.

Statewide Super SA Scorpions 13-player squad
Sam Betts
Emma de Broughe
Ellie Falconer
Amanda-Jade Wellington
Darcie Brown
Tahlia McGrath (c)
Bridget Patterson
Tegan McPharlin
Stacey Oates
Suzie Bates (OS)
Annie O’Neil
Eliza Doddridge
Alex Price

WNCL Round 1 fixture
SA v NSW, Sunday 22 September, Karen Rolton Oval, 10am
SA v ACT, Tuesday 24 September, Karen Rolton Oval, 10am